Method of using AV devices and AV device system

ABSTRACT

A plurality of devices and a device system are disclosed, in which a plurality of input devices generate an input AV signal, a related device records and reproduces the AV signal, and a display device displays the AV signal. The input devices, the related device and the display device are interconnected to configure an AV system having a bus for transmitting or receiving the AV signal and management information. The related device of the AV system includes a recording medium for recording the AV signal, and the input devices transmit to the related device a request to secure a recording area on the recording medium.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a division of application Ser No. 09/176,773 filedon Oct. 22, 1998, the contents of which are hereby incorporated hereinby reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a technique for an audio and videodevice system (hereinafter referred to as “the AV device system”)including at least two AV devices having the audio informationreproducing function, the video information reproducing function, etc.connected by a bus, or more in particular to a device applicationtechnique to secure the use of a plurality of AV devices operativelyinterlocked with each other.

The present invention also relates to an audio and video device system(hereinafter referred to as “the AV system”) comprising a plurality ofAV devices interconnected by a bus, or more in particular to a pluralityof devices and a device configuration of an AV system which are managedby timer for reservation of the operation of the devices of the AVsystem.

A communication system using an IEEE1394 serial bus or a USB (UniversalSerial Bus) has been proposed as a system including a video taperecorder (VTR), a TV receiver (TV) or other AV devices and informationprocessing units connected by a control bus capable of transmitting andreceiving both data and control signals between the devices.

The IEEE1394 serial bus can support both the isochronous transfer ofsuch data as digital AV signals continuously at a predetermined bit rateand the asynchronous transfer of control signals such as connectioncontrol commands as required.

In addition to the isochronous transfer described above, the USB alsopermits a control transfer used for transmission and receipt of messagesand the bulk transfer of a large amount of data at a bit rate notguaranteed.

In a system using the IEEE1394 serial bus or USB, a node ID is allocatedautomatically in accordance with the manner of connection of eachdevice. Also, when a new device is added to or a device is removed fromthe system, the bus is reset and a node ID is allocated automaticallyagain in accordance with the new connection.

Further, standardization is under way of control signals “AV/C DigitalInterface Command Set” for controlling various AV devices from anexternal source.

Under the circumstances, when a system is constructed of various AVdevices interconnected by the IEEE1394 serial bus or the USB tocommunicate data and control signals, there may be the case in which agiven AV device controls other AV devices. A typical function issecuring the use of a device by timer reservation for recording orreproduction.

In the conventional timer reservation functions, however, related AVdevices are operated individually by the operators for timerreservation, and each AV device has never participated in the operationof other AV devices. When a set time arrives, therefore, each AV deviceoutputs AV data such as image or audio information or starts therecording operation, for example, regardless of the operating conditionof a related AV device. In the conventional method, therefore, beforesetting a reservation by timer, the operator is required to checkwhether each related device is operable at the reserved time.

If the time on the clock built in each device is not correct or theclock is cleared or stopped due to a power failure or the like,unintended AV data may be recorded, part of the intended AV data mayfail to be recorded, or otherwise normal recording may becomeimpossible.

Further, assume that a fee-charging program such as broadcast by asatellite is recorded by timer reservation. In the case where the on-airtime of the program is unexpectedly extended, a VTR terminates therecording operation against the will of the operator with the arrival ofthe scheduled time set in advance, even though the integratedreceiver/decoder may be able to meet the situation.

When a fee-charging program is reserved for recording by timer, theoperator inserts a recording medium (tape or disk) having a recordingarea required for recording the particular program. In spite of this,the tape or disk may be taken out or used for recording a differentprogram before the reserved time. The probable result is the shortage ofthe recording area, thereby making the normal recording of the reservedprogram impossible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an object of the presentinvention is to provide a technique of an AV device application by whicha plurality of devices can make and manage reservations by timer insimplistic fashion in cooperation with each other.

Another object of the invention is to provide a plurality of devicesmanaged by timer and a device system which controls the time so that thedevices cooperate with each other in timer reservation.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, according to thepresent invention, there is provided a method described below and AVdevices and an AV device system for realizing the method.

Information for using a device such as timer reservation is designatedto a first AV device. Upon determination of a second AV deviceoperatively interlocked with the first AV device at the time of using abus, the first AV device inquires of the second AV device, through thebus connecting the first and second AV devices, about the possibility ofusing the second AV device and the availability of the recording area ofthe recording medium in the second AV device during the period from thescheduled starting time and the ending time when the first AV devicedesires to use the second AV device.

In response to this inquiry, the second AV device checks the deviceoperation information stored in the device operation information storagemeans for the second AV device and determines the usability of thesecond AV device during the scheduled period, while at the same timechecking the recording capacity available in the recording medium. Thesecond AV device thus gives an appropriate reply to the first AV device.

In the case where the second AV device is available for use at thedesignated time, the first AV device stores the device operationinformation, the recording starting position, the recording capacity andother information on the recording medium in the device operationinformation storage means of the first AV device. The same informationis also stored in the device operation information storage means of thesecond AV device. In the case where the second AV device cannot be usedat the designated time, on the other hand, the first AV device inquiresof the second AV device about the cause of the cancellation or theimpossibility of using the second AV device at the designated time. Inthe case where a plurality of requests for use of the second AV deviceare overlapped, one of the requests is determined as valid.

The first and second AV devices are notified several minutes before thetime of actual operation.

When changing the contents of the device operation of the first AVdevice, the first AV device reads out the device operation informationand the like from the device operation information storage means of thefirst AV device and displays it on the display means. Then, theappropriate portion of the device operation information is changed, andthe change of the device operation information is notified to the secondAV device affected by it. The second AV device, on the other hand, readsout the device operation information for the second AV device from thedevice operation information storage means of the second AV device andchanges it accordingly.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, according to anotheraspect of the invention, there is provided a device system comprising:

(1) a first device for processing the timer reservation and executingthe reservation, including

first communication interface means for communicating data and controlsignals with other devices connected through a control bus, operationinput means enabling the user to designate a timer reservation andvarious setting information (such as the starting/ending time reserved,recording/reproduction, channel No., etc.) for the reservation, relateddevice determining means for determining at least one second deviceoperatively inter-locked with the first device to execute thereservation set by the first device, reservation registration means forstoring the reservation in the second AV device, first reservation datastorage means for storing the reservation data, first time holding meanshaving a clock for holding the current time, reservation execution timenotification means for notifying the arrival of the reservationexecution time, reservation execution means for executing thereservation based on the reservation data, first status data storagemeans for storing the first status data indicating the operatingcondition of the clock, master time acquisition means for acquiring anaccurate time from a source external to the system, first time adjustingmeans for adjusting the clock based on the accurate time acquired by themaster time acquisition means, master information storage means forstoring the master information on a specific source of the time (such asdata on a satellite broadcast program) and acquisition timing (atregular intervals of time, say, once per hour, for example), timeinformation acquisition requesting means for requesting to acquire thecurrent time and the operating condition of the clock held in at leastone second device, related device time checking means for checkingwhether or not the clock of the second device is suitable for executingthe timer reservation based on the time information of the second deviceacquired from the time information acquisition requesting means, andcheck result notification means for notifying the user of a stumblingblock, if any, to the execution of the timer reservation which may befound as a result of the check by the related device time checkingmeans; and

(2) a second device operatively interlocked with the first device forexecution of the timer reservation by the first device, including

second communication interface means for communicating data and controlsignals with other devices connected through a control bus, secondreservation data storage means for storing a reservation in response toa reservation registration request from the first device, second timeholding means having a clock for holding the current time, reservationexecution time notification means for notifying the arrival of thereservation time, reservation execution means for executing thereservation based on the reservation data, second status data storagemeans for storing the second status data indicating the operatingcondition of the clock, time information response means for replying thetime information indicating the current time and the operating conditionof the clock held in the second device in response to the timeinformation acquisition request from the first device, and second timeadjusting means enabling the user to adjust the clock of the seconddevice.

The operation for this system is performed in the following manner:

The use designates a timer reservation to the first device using theoperation input means. Upon determination of a second deviceconstituting a related device for reservation execution by the relateddevice determining means, the first device gives a request to the seconddevice for acquiring the current time and the operating conditionindicated by the clock of the second device through the firstcommunication interface means using the time information acquisitionrequesting means. In response to this request, the second devicetransmits the required information to the first device through thesecond communication interface means using the time information responsemeans.

The first device that has acquired this time information checks whetheror not the clock of the second device has no problem for execution ofthe timer reservation using the related device time checking means. Ifthere is no problem found as a result of this check, the first devicestores the reservation data in the first reservation data storage means,while at the same time registering the reservation data in the seconddevice using the reservation data registration means. In the case wherethere is any problem, the first device displays on a monitor or the likenotifying the user that the time information of the second device is notcorrect, using the check result notification means, and the user isinstructed to adjust the time using the second time adjusting means.

The reservation is executed in the first and second devices by thereservation execution means after the reservation execution timenotification means notifies the arrival of the reservation executiontime or several minutes before it.

Also, the first device acquires the accurate time from a source externalto the system through the master time acquisition means based on thecontents of the master information stored in the master informationstorage means. The clock is adjusted by the first time adjusting meansthereby to always hold the correct current time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an example configuration for timer reservation in an AVdevice system according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows an example configuration of reservation data managed in anAV device making up an input device.

FIG. 3 shows an example configuration of the reservation data managed inan AV device making up a related device.

FIG. 4 is an actual example of the reservation data managed in an inputdevice or a related device of an AV device system.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the steps of processing a timerreservation.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D and 6E show example screens of an input device forprocessing the timer reservation.

FIG. 7 shows an example screen of an input device for notifying that thetimer reservation cannot be executed.

FIG. 8 shows an example screen of an input device for displaying thereservation situation of a related device for timer reservationprocessing.

FIG. 9 shows an example screen of an input device for notifying thatreservations are overlapped at the designated time in the timerreservation processing.

FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C are example screens of an input device fordisplaying a list of programs that have been reserved by timer.

FIG. 11 is an example screen of a related device for displaying a listof programs that have been reserved by timer.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the steps of each AV device checking thecontents of the reservation when the AV device system configuration ischanged.

FIG. 13 shows an example screen for notifying that an input device or arelated device cannot be used.

FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C and 14D are example configurations of a commandpacket and a response packet for communication between the AV devicesconnected by a control bus.

FIG. 15 shows an example of timer reservation for recording afee-charging program.

FIG. 16 shows an example screen for notifying that the next reservedprogram is overlapped as a result of change in the broadcast programs.

FIG. 17 shows an example configuration of an AV device system accordingto another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 18 shows an example screen of an input device for displaying a listof programs that have been reserved by timer.

FIG. 19 shows an example screen of a related device for displaying alist of programs that have been reserved by timer.

FIG. 20 shows an example configuration of an AV device system accordingto still another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 21 shows an example configuration of the reservation data managedin each AV device.

FIG. 22 shows an example configuration of an AV system according to afurther embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 23 shows an example configuration of the reservation data managedin an AV device making up an input device.

FIG. 24 shows an example configuration of the reservation data managedin an AV device making up a related device.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the steps of setting a timer reservation.

FIG. 26 shows an example screen (input device) for selecting a recordingdevice (related device) for timer reservation processing.

FIG. 27 shows an example screen for displaying detailed information of arecording device (related device) for timer reservation processing.

FIG. 28 shows an example screen for displaying a list of programs thathave been reserved by timer.

FIG. 29 shows an example screen for displaying detailed information of arecording device (related device) for timer reservation processing.

FIG. 30 shows an example screen for displaying a list of programs thathave been reserved by timer.

FIG. 31 shows an example screen for notifying that no recording mediumis set for timer reservation processing.

FIG. 32 shows an example screen for notifying that the capacity of therecording medium is insufficient for timer reservation processing.

FIG. 33 shows an example configuration of a recording area secured on arecording medium (disk) for timer reservation processing.

FIG. 34 shows an example configuration of a recording area secured on arecording medium (tape) for timer reservation processing.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing the steps performed by a recording devicewhen a recording request is issued from another device after a timerreservation is set.

FIG. 36 shows an example screen for notifying that the capacity of therecording medium is insufficient when a recording request is issued fromanother device after the timer reservation is set.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing the steps performed by the recordingdevice when the reserved time set by timer has arrived during therecording or reproduction operation.

FIG. 38 shows an example screen for notifying that the current recordingor reproduction is suspended in the case where the reserved time set bytimer arrives during recording or reproduction.

FIG. 39 shows an example screen for notifying that the current recordingor reproduction is suspended in the case where the reserved time set bytimer arrives during recording or reproduction.

FIG. 40 shows an example screen for notifying that the reservation iscancelled in the case where the reserved time set by timer arrivesduring recording or reproduction.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing the steps of cancelling the timerreservation.

FIG. 42 shows an example screen for displaying the details of a programon a program guide.

FIG. 43 is a flowchart for setting a timer reservation in a relateddevice.

FIG. 44 shows an example screen for notifying that the recording mediumis not set for executing the timer reservation.

FIG. 45 shows an example screen for notifying that a predeterminedrecording medium is not set for executing the timer reservation.

FIG. 46 shows an example screen for notifying that the reservation iscancelled in the case where the reserved time set by timer arrivesduring recording or reproduction.

FIGS. 47A, 47B and 47C are diagrams showing devices and a device systemfor timer management according to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 48A and 48B are diagrams showing a specific example of the clockinformation managed by the time management section of the integratedreceiver/decoder in FIGS. 47A, 47B and 47C.

FIGS. 49A and 49B are diagrams showing a specific example of the clockinformation managed by the time management section of therecording-reproducing device in FIGS. 47A, 47B and 47C.

FIG. 50 is a flowchart showing the steps of processing the timerreservation according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 47A, 47Band 47C.

FIGS. 51A, 51B, 51C, 51D and 51E are diagrams showing a specific exampleof the image displayed on the liquid crystal screen of a monitor or aremote controller in FIGS. 47A, 471B and 47C associated with theprocessing of steps 5001 and 5002.

FIG. 52 is a diagram showing a specific example of the screen fornotifying that the timer reservation may not be normally executed due tothe malfunction of the clock of the integrated receiver/decoder in FIGS.47A, 47B and 47C.

FIG. 53 is a diagram showing a specific example of the screen fornotifying that the clock will be adjusted in the case where the timerreservation may not be normally executed due to the malfunction of theclock of the integrated receiver/decoder in FIGS. 47A, 47B and 47C.

FIG. 54 is a diagram showing a specific example of the screen fornotifying that the clock failed to be adjusted in the integratedreceiver/decoder in FIGS. 47A, 47B and 47C.

FIGS. 55A and 55B are diagrams showing a specific example of timeinformation managed in a device lacking the master time acquisitionfunction in FIGS. 47A, 47B and 47C.

FIGS. 56A and 56B are diagrams showing a specific example of timeinformation managed in a device lacking the master time acquisitionfunction in FIGS. 47A, 47B and 47C.

FIG. 57 is a block diagram showing devices and a device system for timermanagement according to the second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 58 is a flowchart showing the initial processing of an added devicehaving no master time acquisition function according to the secondembodiment of FIG. 57.

FIG. 59 is a block diagram showing a specific example of a configurationwith a device removed or a power failure in the second embodiment shownin FIG. 57.

FIG. 60 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by a deviceother than the device which is removed or for which the power failed inthe situation shown in FIG. 59.

FIGS. 61A and 61B are diagrams showing a specific example of aconfiguration of time information managed by the time management sectionof a device having the master time acquisition function according to thesecond embodiment shown in FIG. 57.

FIGS. 62A and 62B are diagrams showing a specific example of aconfiguration of time information managed by the time management sectionof a device having no master time acquisition function according to thesecond embodiment shown in FIG. 57.

FIG. 63 is a flowchart showing the operation of processing the timeinformation of a device having the master time acquisition function whenthe bus is reset according to the second embodiment of FIG. 57.

FIG. 64 is a flowchart showing the operation of processing the timeinformation of a device having no master time acquisition function whenthe bus is reset according to the second embodiment in FIG. 57.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be described in more detail with reference tothe accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below refer to thecases of securing the use of a device by timer reservation as atechnique for securing the use of a bus, but can apply to any case otherthan timer reservation which can avoid the overlapped use of devices.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example configuration for timerreservation for an AV device system according to the present invention.

In this example, an AV device system comprises integratedreceiver/decoders 100 a, 100 b for receiving broadcast programs usingcommunication satellites, a recording device 110 such as a videotaperecorder for recording AV data such image and voices on a magnetic tapeand DVD, HD, MO for recording AV data on a magnetic or optical disk, anda monitor 120 such as a TV receiver or a display of a personal computer.These components are interconnected by a bus 10 such as an IEEE1394serial bus or USB.

Explanation will be made below about a method in which the operatorinstructs the integrated receiver/decoder 100 a to reserve “the timerrecording of a satellite broadcast program in the recording device 110”,and the integrated receive/decoder 100 a and the recording device 110set and execute the timer reservation.

First, the configuration of the integrated receiver/decoder 100 a andthe recording device 110 will be explained. The integratedreceiver/decoder 100 b has a similar configuration to the integratedreceiver/decoder 100 a

The integrated receiver/decoder 100 a includes a user interface section101 for exchanging signals for setting and displaying the timerreservation with the operator using an input designation device such asa remote controller or a tablet, a communication interface section 101for communicating AV data and control signals with other devices (theintegrated receiver/decoder 100 b, the recording device 110 and themonitor 120 in this case) through the bus 10, a satellite broadcasttuner 103 for receiving a satellite broadcast program, a timerreservation section 104 for processing the timer reservation, areproduction section 107 for reproducing a received broadcast program onthe monitor 120 and a control section 108 for controlling the operationof various internal parts of the integrated receiver/decoder 100 a.

The timer reservation section 104 includes a reservation data managementsection 105 for managing the data on the timer reservation and a timemanagement section 106 for issuing an alarm on or otherwise notifyingthe arrival of the reservation time.

The recording device 110 includes a user interface section 111 forexchanging signals for recording and reproduction, timer reservation,display, etc. with the operator using an input instruction device suchas a remote controller or a tablet, a communication interface section112 for communicating data and control signals with other devices (theintegrated receiver/decoders 100 a, 100 b and the monitor 120 in thiscase) through the bus 10, a VHF/UHF tuner 113 for receiving a VHF/UHFbroadcast program, a timer reservation section 114 for processing thetimer reservation of VHF/UHF broadcast programs, a recording section 117for recording AV data such as broadcast programs on a recording mediumsuch as a magnetic tape or an optical disk, a reproduction section 118for reproducing the AV data recorded on the recording medium, and arecording device control section 119 for controlling the operation ofthe recording device 110.

The timer reservation section 114 includes a reservation data managementsection 115 for managing the data on the timer reservation and a timemanagement section 116 for notifying, by an alarm or the like, thearrival of the reserved time.

Now, explanation will be made about an example configuration of thereservation data managed by the reservation data management section 105of the integrated receiver/decoder 100 a and the reservation managementsection 115 of the recording device 110.

With the integrated receiver/decoder 100 a(input device) instructed fortimer reservation by the operator, the device operation information isconstituted of such data as a reservation ID 201, a reservation time(starting and ending time) 202, a related device ID 203 and varioussetting information 204. These data constitute the, reservation data formanaging one reservation.

The reservation ID 201 is an identifier of the reservation data managedin the input device 100 a, and assigned a unique number according to theorder of reservation setting and date and time. The reservation time 202is the required reservation time (starting/ending time). The relateddevice ID 203 is an identifier unique to a device (related device)operatively inter-locked for executing the reservation, which, in thisembodiment, is an ID unique to the recording device 110. In the casewhere no device is required to be operatively interlocked, the local ID(ID of the integrated receiver/decoder 100 a) or a value not used as anID is set. In the case where there are a plurality of related devices,the IDs of all the devices are set. The various setting information 204include information required for the input device and the related deviceto set and execute the timer reservation in mutual cooperation, such asthe type of execution function such as reproduction or recording, thechannel No., SP (standard play), LP (long play), EP (extra long play) orthe like recording speed mode and the record mode such as analog ordigital.

In the recording device 110 (related device) operatively interlockedwith the integrated receiver/decoder 100 a at the time of reservationexecution, each reservation is constituted of data including areservation ID 301, a reserved time (starting and ending time) 302, aninput device ID 303 and various setting information 304 for the relateddevice.

The reservation ID 301 is an identifier of the reservation data managedin the related device 110 and is assigned a unique number representingthe order of reservation setting or the order of data and time. Thereserved time 302 is the required time (starting and ending time) of aprogram. The input device ID 303 is an identifier unique to the device(input device) accepting the reservation and operatively interlocked atthe time of execution of the reservation. According to this embodiment,it is an ID unique to the integrated receiver/decoder 100 a. In the casewhere the integrated receiver/decoder 100 a accepts a reservation byitself and there is no need of an operatively-interlocked device, avalue other than the ID of the recording device 110 or a value not usedas an ID of the recording device is set. The various setting information304 are the information required for setting and executing a timerreservation such as the execution functions including reproduction orrecording, the recording speed mode such as SP, LP or EP and the recordmode such as analog or digital.

Now, the steps of processing the timer reservation in theabove-mentioned AV device will be explained with reference to FIGS. 4and 5.

First, the operator inputs a timer reservation designation and areservation content 400 to the integrated receiver/decoder 100 a usingan input designation device such as a remote controller or an inputtablet through the user interface section 101 (step 501). In the casewhere the content of the reservation is to be executed in cooperationwith other devices than the integrated receiver/receiver 100 a, arelated device to be controlled (the recording device 110 in this case)is determined (step 502).

FIG. 6 shows an example screen displayed on the liquid crystal displayof the remote controller or the monitor 120 in step 502. First, theoperator designates a program guide indicator 601 on the remotecontroller 600. The screen 610 displaying a program guide is displayed.A program to be reserved is selected using a direction indicator 602 onthe screen 610. Upon designation of the registration by a registrationindicator 606, a screen 620 for selecting the execution function isdisplayed. A reservation execution function (reproduce or record) isselected using the direction indicator 602 on the screen 620 and thedetermination of the result of selection is designated by adetermination indicator 604. Upon selection of the recording, forexample, a screen 630 for selecting a recording device, i.e. a relateddevice is displayed. Among the devices connected to the bus 10, theinformation on devices having the recording function (the device typesuch as VTR or DVD, the name of the manufacturer, etc.) are displayed onthe screen 630.

In the system according to this embodiment (FIG. 1), only one recordingdevice is available on the bus and therefore only the information on therecording device 110 is displayed.

When the determination is indicated by the determination indicator 604,a screen 640 for selecting the tape speed and the record mode isdisplayed. When the tape speed and the record mode are selected on thescreen 640 and the determination is indicated by the determinationindicator 604, the information setting is complete for the recordingreservation.

Next, the timer reservation section 104 in the integratedreceiver/decoder 100 a inquires of the timer reservation section 114 ofthe related device (the recording device 110) whether the designatedreserved time is occupied or not, i.e. whether the reservation data canbe stored in the reservation data management section 115 through thecontrol section 108, the communication interface section and the bus(step 503). In the process, the inquiry is accompanied by thetransmission of the information on at least the time of starting andending the use of the related device. The inquiry can be made, however,while at the same time transmitting the contents of the reservationdata.

Assume, as a result of the inquiry, that a notification is received fromthe recording device 110 that the designated time is not occupied andavailable for use. The reservation data management section 105 preparesand manages the reservation data 410 based on the reservation contentsinput thereto (step 504). The reservation data 410 include a reservationdata ID 411 in the input device 100 a, a reserved time 412 for thereservation contents 400, an ID 413 unique to the related device on thebus, and various setting information 414 such as the execution function,the channel No., the program title, the tape speed and the record mode.

At the same time, the input device 100 a transmits the informationrequired for preparing the reservation data 420 to the timer reservationsection 114 of the related device 110 and issues a request for settingthe reservation data 400 (step 505). The timer reservation section 114of the related device 110 that has received the setting request preparesthe reservation data 420, which is managed by the reservation datamanagement section 115.

The reservation data 420 include a reservation data ID 421 in therelated device 110, a reservation time 422 for the reservation contents400, an ID 423 unique to the input device 100 a on the bus, varioussetting information 424 such as the execution function, the channel No.,the program title, the tape speed and the record mode.

In step 503, assume that the notification is received from the relateddevice 110 that the designated time is occupied. The operator isinquired about whether the timer reservation is set again or not (step506). In the case where the timer reservation is set again, the processreturns to step 501. Otherwise, the process is terminated. FIG. 7 showsan example screen for inquiring of the operator. When a selection item701 is designated on the screen 700, the process returns to step 501,while when the selection item 702 is designated, the process isterminated.

In step 502, the information on the related device 110 are secured insuch a manner that a device existing on the bus and constituting arelated device is acquired and managed by the control section 108 of theinput device 100 a at the time of resetting the bus or at regular timeintervals. In the case where only one related device exists on the bus10, the particular device can be automatically determined as the relateddevice 110. In the case where there exist two or more related devices onthe bus 10, these devices are displayed on the liquid crystal screen ofthe monitor 120 or the remote controller, and an appropriate relateddevice can be determined by the operator each time of reservation. It isalso possible to determine the order of priority in advance for therelated devices managed by the control section 108 and to record theorder in the control section 108, which is referred to for determining adevice automatically. On the other hand, an appropriate device canautomatically be determined from the related device information managedby the control section 108, according to the recording medium (VHS tape,SVHS tape, magnetooptical disk, etc.) mounted on the related device orthe record mode (analog or digital) designated by the operator. When theoperator designates the digital recording, for example, the controlsection 108 selects a related device capable of digital recording andwith the SVHS tape mounted thereon from the related device informationand determines it as a related device.

In step 503, it is also possible for the integrated receiver/decoder 100a to read out the reservation data 300 managed by the timer reservationsection 114 of the related device 110 and to check whether thedesignated reserved time is occupied or not.

FIG. 8 shows an example screen 800 of the input device 100 a displayingthe reservation situation of the related device 110.

In step 505, it is also possible that the reservation data managementsection 105 of the integrated receiver/decoder 100 a prepares thereservation data 420 and transmits it to the timer reservation section114 of the recording device 110, which sets the reservation data 420 inthe reservation data management section 115. As another alternative, thecontrol section 108 in the integrated receiver/decoder 100 a candirectly set the reservation data 420 in the reservation data managementsection 115 of the related device 110.

In step 506, in the case where the recording device 110 is occupied atthe designated time, the schedule can be notified to the operator todetermine which reservation is given priority. When a reservation iscancelled, the device for which the reservation is cancelled deletes thereservation data for the cancelled reservation from all the deviceshaving the reservation data. FIG. 9 shows an example screen 900 fornotifying the operator that reservations are overlapped and requestingthe operator to determine which reservation is given priority. When aselection item 901 is designated on the screen 900, the timerreservation section 104 of the integrated receiver/decoder 100 atransmits a request to the timer reservation section 114 of therecording device 110 to delete the reservation previously set. The timerreservation section 114 of the recording device 110 acquires thereservation data for the cancelled reservation from the reservation datamanagement section 115 and deletes the cancelled reservation data, whileat the same time deleting the reservation data from all the deviceshaving the reservation data for the cancelled reservation.

Upon designation of a selection item 902, on the other hand, the timerreservation designated on the screens 610 to 640 is cancelled. Variousother arbitrations for the overlapped reservations are available. Forexample, the reservation for a fee-charging program such as a satellitebroadcast program is automatically given priority, or the order ofpriority is stored in advance in the control section 108 of the input.device 100 a and referred to at the time of timer reservation.

FIG. 10 shows a screen example for displaying a list of contents of areservation already set as a timer reservation in the input device, i.e.the integrated receiver/decoder 100 a.

First, the operator designates a check indicator 605 on the remotecontroller 600. The timer reservation section 104 reads out thereservation data 200 from the reservation data management section 105 inthe integrated receiver/decoder 100 a, and displays it on the screen1000 of the monitor 120 through the user interface section 101. Suchitems as the reservation No., the reserved date and time, channel No.,the program title and the function to be executed for each reservationare displayed on the screen 1000. For more detailed check, a detailindicator 603 is designated. Then, the screen 1020 is displayed. Thecontents including the items that could not be displayed on the screen1000 are displayed on the screen 1020.

Now, explanation will be made about the process for changing thecontents of the timer reservation already set. A given reservation isselected from the reservation contents displayed on the screen 1000, andthe change thereof is designated by the change indicator 606. Areservation change screen 1010 is displayed. Assume that the deletion ofa reservation or the change of the time or the execution function isdesignated on the screen 1010. The timer reservation section 104 in theintegrated receiver/decoder 100 a deletes or, as the case may be,changes the contents of the reservation stored in the reservation datamanagement section 105. At the same time, the timer reservation section114 of other devices (the recording device 110 in this case) operativelyinterlocked at the time of reservation execution is requested to deleteor change the contents of the reservation data for the particularreservation.

In response to this request, the timer reservation section 114 of therecording device 110 searches for the reservation data of the particularreservation stored in the reservation data management section 115 anddeletes or changes, as the case may be, the contents thereof.Alternatively, it is possible that the timer reservation section 104 ofthe integrated receiver/decoder 100 a acquires the reservation datastored in the reservation data management section 115 of the recordingdevice 110, searches for the reservation data for the particularreservation from them and deletes or changes the contents thereof, sothat the resulting reservation data are written in the reservation datamanagement section 115 again.

FIG. 11 shows an example screen for displaying a list of the contents ofreservations already set by timer in the recording device 110constituting a related device.

Upon designation of check or change of the contents of the reservationby the operator, the timer reservation section 114 in the recordingdevice 110 reads the reservation information from the reservation datamanagement section 115, and displays the screen 1100 on the monitor 120through the user interface section 111. The timer reservation forrecording a broadcast program received from the VHF/UHF tuner 113 builtin the recording device 110 and the timer reservation for recording abroadcast program received by the integrated receiver/decoders 100 a,100 b are displayed at the same time. The two types of programs arediscriminated by attaching an asterisk 1110 in FIG. 8 or by indicatingthe name of the receiver.

Now, the processing performed when the AV device system configuration ischanged as a result of the bus being reset (such as when the connecteddevice configuration is changed by removal of a device) or the connecteddevice being removed will be explained with reference to FIG. 12.

First, the timer reservation sections 104, 114 of the devices that haverecognized the change of the AV device system configuration read (step1201) the reservation data 200 or 300 managed by the reservation datamanagement sections 105, 115 and check the contents thereof, and checkthe input device ID 303 or the related device ID 203 in the reservationdata. If the value is other than the ID of the device associated withthe timer reservation section 104 or 114, the timer reservation section104 or 114 inquires of the input device indicated by the input device ID303 or the related device ID 203 about the status thereof (about theexistence or the availability for use thereof) (step 1202). If thedevice inquired of is occupied and not available for use, the operatoris notified that the reservation data is impossible to execute and thereservation is cancelled or the reservation data is automaticallydeleted (step 1203). As a result, even when the system configuration ischanged, the reservation data can be smoothly managed in accordance withthe prevailing status. FIG. 13 shows an example screen 1300 fornotifying the operator that the device inquired of is occupied. Upondesignation of the selection item 1301 on the screen 1300, the timerreservation sections 104, 114 delete the reservation data. Upondesignation of the selection item 1302, on the other hand, the screen1300 is kept on display until the device inquired of becomes availablefor use.

FIG. 14 shows an example packet structure of the control signal forsending an inquiry to the recording device 110 from the integratedreceiver/decoder 100 a and transmitting a response to the integratedreceiver/decoder 100 a from the recording device 110 on the bus 10 insteps 503, 505 and 1202.

The integrated receiver/decoder 100 a, when requesting the recordingdevice 110 to set or acquire the reservation data, uses a command packet1400.

The command packet 1400 includes a command source address 1401, acommand source subunit address 1402, a command destination address 1403,a command destination subunit address 1404 and a data payload 1405.

The command source address 1401 indicates the sole address on the bus 10of the device issuing a command to be transmitted. In the presentembodiment, it is an address of the integrated receiver/decoder 100 a onthe bus 10.

The command source subunit address 1402 is an address of each function(tuner, timer reservation section, etc.) in the device issuing acommand. In the present embodiment, it is an address of the timerreservation section 104 in the integrated receiver/decoder 100 a.

The command destination address 1403 is the sole address on the bus 10of the device receiving a command, and in the present embodiment, is anaddress of the recording device 110 on the bus 10.

The command destination subunit address 1404 is an address of eachfunction (the tuner, the timer reservation section, etc.) in the devicereceiving the command, and in the present embodiment, is an address ofthe timer reservation section 114 in the recording device 110.

The data payload 1405 includes a request issued to the timer reservationsection (in this case, the timer reservation section 114 in therecording device 110) at the command destination to write, read orchange the reservation data and the content of such requests.

The response from the recording device 110 to the integratedreceiver/decoder 100 a, on the other hand, uses a response packet 1410.

The response packet 1410 includes a response source address 1411, aresponse source subunit address 1412, a response destination address1413, a response destination subunit address 1414 and a response content1415.

The response source address 1411 is the sole address on the bus 10 ofthe device issuing a response, and in the present embodiment, an addressof the recording device 110 on the bus 10.

The response source subunit address 1412 is an address of each function(the tuner, the timer reservation section, etc.) in the device issuing aresponse. In the present embodiment, it is an address of the timerreservation section 114 in the recording device 110.

The response destination address 1413 indicates the sole address on thebus 10 of the device receiving the response, and in the presentembodiment, is an address of the integrated receiver/decoder 100 a onthe bus 10.

The response destination subunit address 1414 is an address of eachfunction (the tuner, the timer reservation section, etc.) in the devicereceiving the response, and in the present embodiment, is an address ofthe timer reservation section 104 in the integrated receiver/decoder 100a.

The response content 1415 is that of a response including the contentsand the result of change of the reservation data transmitted to thetimer reservation section (in this case, the timer reservation section114 in the recording device 110) at the response destination meeting therequest from the same timer reservation section to write, read or changethe reservation data.

As described above, according to this embodiment, in a system with theintegrated receiver/decoders 100 a, 100 b and the recording device 110connected to each other by the control bus 10, the integratedreceiver/decoders 100 a, 100 b and the recording device 110 include thetimer reservation sections 104, 114, respectively, having thereservation data management sections 105, 115, and the timerreservations associated with a given device among those of all thedevices existing on the bus 10 are managed by the particular device.

For example, when the timer reservation is designated by the integratedreceiver/decoder 100 a as described above, the timer reservation section104 stores the contents of the reservation data in the reservation datamanagement section 105, while at the same time storing them in thereservation data management section 115 of the recording device 110operatively interlocked with the integrated receiver/decoder 100 a.

As a result, assuming that a timer reservation is designated by a deviceother than the integrated receiver/decoder 100 a and the recordingdevice 110, such as the integrated receiver/decoder 100 b operativelyinterlocked with the recording device 110, for example, the reservationsituation in the recording device 110 on the bus 10 can be entirelygrasped simply by inquiring of the reservation data management section115 of the recording device 110.

Though described later, assume that a timer reservation is designated byanother device operatively interlocked with the integratedreceiver/decoder 100 a. The reservation situation in the integratedreceiver/decoder 100 a on the bus 10 can be entirely grasped simply byinquiring of the reservation data management section 105 of theintegrated receiver/decoder 100 a.

Also, the reservation data stored in the reservation data managementsections 105, 115 are configured to include the input device ID 303 orthe related device ID 203.

As a result, it is possible to identify a device that has reserved anyreservation data and a device executing the reservation in operativelyinterlocked relation with another device. A change in the systemconfiguration or the overlap or change of reservations can thus be metreadily by cancellation or otherwise handled appropriately.

In this case, a configuration can be employed in which the integratedreceiver/decoder 100 a and the recording device 110 each execute thereservation individually based on the respective stored reservation datawith the arrival of the reservation execution time. Anotherconfiguration is also possible to employ in which the integratedreceiver/decoder 100 a has the function of remotely controlling therecording device 110 and with the arrival of the reservation executiontime, remotely controls the recording device 110 for executing thereservation. In the latter case, data indicating whether a device is tobe remotely controlled or not can be included in addition to the relateddevice ID 203 in the reservation data 200 managed by the reservationdata management section 105 of the integrated receiver/decoder 100 a.

Further, the reservation data 300 managed by the reservation datamanagement section 115 in the recording device 110 can include, inaddition to the input device ID 303, the data indicating whether or notto be remotely controlled by a device.

Now, the reservation for timer recording of a fee-charging program suchas a satellite broadcast program will be explained with reference toFIG. 15.

Assume that in accordance with the above-mentioned timer reservationprocedure, the reservation data management section 105 in the integratedreceiver/decoder 100 a has stored therein the reservation data for afee-charging program 1510 such as a live sport broad-casting with ascheduled starting time 1501 and a scheduled ending time 1502 and thereservation data for a subsequent program 1520 scheduled to start attime point 1504.

Several minutes before the scheduled starting time of the reservedfee-charging program 1501, the timer reservation section 104 acquiresthe latest one of the program guides transmitted constantly or regularlyby satellite broadcasting, and checks whether or not the program 1510 isto be started at the scheduled time.

The timer reservation section 104 can alternatively be adapted toacquire a new program guide at regular intervals of time.

The program 1501, which starts at the scheduled time, begins to berecorded in cooperation with the recording device 110 with the arrivalof the scheduled time 1501.

Suppose that the program 1510 starts to be broadcast behind time, on theother hand. The timer reservation section 104 acquires the ending timethereof and checks whether the scheduled starting time 1504 of thesubsequently reserved program 1520 is overlapped with the ending time ofthe program 1510 reserved later. In the case where the starting time ofthe subsequent program is overlapped with the ending time of the program1510, the operator is notified.

FIG. 16 shows a screen example 1600 displayed on the monitor 120. Upondesignation of the selection item 1601 on the screen 1600, the timerreservation section 104 in the integrated receiver/decoder 100 a changesthe reservation time 202 in the reservation data 200 for the reservedprogram 1510 and deletes the reservation data 200 for the reservedprogram 1520. At the same time, a request for changing the reservationtime 302 in the reservation data 300 for the reserved program 1510 anddeleting the reservation data 200 for the reserved program 1520 areissued to the timer reservation section 114 in the recording device 300.

The timer reservation section 114 in the recording device 110 changesthe reserved time 302 in the reservation data for the reserved programstored in the reservation data management section 115, and deletes thereservation data 300 for the reserved program 1520. In the case wherethe selection item 1602 is designated, on the other hand, the reservedprogram 1520 begins to be recorded. Which is given priority can also beleft to the operator.

Then, the recording of the reserved program 1510 is started at thescheduled starting time 1501, and several minutes before the scheduledending time 1502, the timer reservation section 104 in the integratedreceiver/decoder 100 a acquires the latest new program guide and checkswhether or not the program 1510 ends at the scheduled time point 1502.The timer reservation section 104 can alternatively be configured toacquire a new program guide at regular time intervals.

In the case where the program 1510 ends at the scheduled time, therecording of the program is ended with the arrival of the scheduledending time 1502 in cooperation with the recording device 110.

In the case where the program 1510 such as a live sport casting isextended beyond the scheduled ending time, in contrast, the timerreservation section 104 in the integrated receiver/decoder 100 adisplays the screen 1600 on the monitor 120 or otherwise notifies theoperator. Upon designation of the selection item 1601 on the screen1600, the timer reservation section 104 in the integratedreceiver/decoder 100 a deletes the reservation data 200 for the reservedprogram 1520 and transmits a request for deleting the reservation data200 for the reserved program 1520 to the timer reservation section 114in the recording device 110.

The reserved program 1510 is monitored to the end, and as soon as itends, the fact is transmitted to the timer reservation section 114 inthe recording device 110. The timer reservation section 114 in therecording device 110 deletes the reservation data 300 for the reservedprogram 1520 stored in the reservation data management section 115. Therecording thus is continued until the end of the program is notifiedfrom the integrated receiver/decoder 100 a. Upon designation of theselection item 1602, the operator is required to determine whether thereserved program 1520 is to be recorded midway or which program is givenpriority.

As seen from above, an unexpected requirement that may occur to extendthe broadcasting time for a given program can be flexibly met. In theexample described above, the operator is notified to delete thereservation data 200. As an alternative, the reservation data 1510 isranked in the order of priority in advance when it is set, and in thecase of an unexpected change of the reservation data such as theextension of the broadcasting of a program, the reservation data 200 isdeleted automatically by the timer reservation section in accordancewith the order of priority.

In the above-mentioned system configuration, the integratedreceiver/decoder 100 a constitutes an input device, and the recordingdevice 110 a related device. Instead, the opposite configuration ispossible in which the recording device 110 makes up an input devicewhile the integrated receiver/decoder 100 a constitutes a relateddevice. In the latter case, the timer reservation is designated on therecording device 110, and the reservation data are stored in thereservation data management section 115 in the recording device 110 andthe reservation data management section 105 in the integratedreceiver/decoder 100 a. The only difference is that the reservation data200 are managed by the reservation data management section 115 in therecording device 110 and the reservation data 300 are managed by thereservation data management section 105 in the integratedreceiver/decoder 100 a. The series of the processing steps are similarto those described above with reference to the preceding embodiment.

Explanation will be made about a system with various devices connectedby a bus as shown in FIG. 17.

The system comprises a personal computer (PC) 1701, a DVDrecording-reproducing device 1702 for reproducing or recording DVD, anMD recording-reproducing device 1703 for reproducing or recording MD, anintegrated receiver/decoder 1704 for receiving the satellite broadcastprograms, a VTR 1705 for reproducing or recording the magnetic tape, acable broadcast receiver 1706 for receiving the cable broadcastprograms, and a monitor 1707 such as a TV for displaying the AV data.

The devices 1701 to 1707 each have a timer reservation section. Thedevice constituting an input device, upon receipt of a timer reservationdesignated by the operator, generates reservation data 200 and stores itin the timer reservation section in the input device, while at the sametime requesting a related device operatively interlocked to generatereservation data 300 and store it in the timer reservation of thelatter. What is required of the device making up the input device at thetime of timer reservation of an intended related device, therefore, isonly to inquire of the timer reservation section of the related devicewhether or not the related device is available for use as reserved.

FIG. 18 shows a screen 1800 for a list of reserved programs displayedwhen checking the integrated receiver/decoder 1704 for the timerreservation situation. The reservation data 200 managed by the timerreservation section are read out and the information on the reserveddata (such as the date, the reservation time, the channel, the name ofthe program, and the execution function) are displayed on the screen1800. In this system, the recording devices include the DVD 1702, the MD1703 and the VTR 1705. In the case where the execution function is“record”, the device type used for recording is displayed on the screen1800 with reference to the related device ID 203 in the reservation data200 as shown by 1801.

In similar fashion, the DVD 1702 can be supplied with information fromthe PC 1701, the integrated receiver/decoder 1704 or the cable broadcastreceiver 1706. As shown in FIG. 19, therefore, when checking the timerreservation situation for the DVD 1702, the information 1901 for thedevices supplying the reservation contents can be displayed on thescreen 1900 with reference to the input device ID 303 in the reservationdata 300.

Further, explanation will be made about the case in which the integratedreceiver/decoder and the VTR are integrated and have the function ofboth an input device and a related device, as shown in FIG. 20. Thissystem comprises the integrated receiver/decoder and the VTR 2000integrated with each other, a DVD 2020, a monitor 2030 and a cablebroadcast receiver 2040.

First, reference is made to the configuration of the integratedreceiver/decoder and the VTR 2000 integrated with each other. Theintegrated device 2000 includes a user interface section 2001 forexchanging the signals for the recording or reproduction, timerreservation and the display with the operator using an input designationdevice such as a remote controller or a tablet, a communicationinterface section 2002 for communicating data and control signals toother devices (such as the DVD 2020, the monitor 2030 and the cablebroadcast receiver 2040 in this case) through a bus, a satellitebroadcast tuner 2003 for receiving satellite broadcast programs, aVHF/UHF tuner 2004 for receiving the VHF/UHF broadcast signal, arecording section 2005 for recording the broadcast programs in magnetictape or the like, a reproducing section 2006 for reproducing the AV datafrom the magnetic tape or reproducing a broadcast program actually onthe monitor 2030, a control section 2007 for controlling the operationof each component part, and a timer reservation section 2010 forprocessing the timer reservation of a satellite broadcast program and aVHF/UHF broadcast program. The control section 2007 includes a tunercontroller 2008 for performing the control operation for viewing asatellite broadcast program or a VHF/UHF broadcast program, and a VTRcontrol section 2009 for performing the control operation for recordingor reproducing a broadcast program. The timer reservation section 2010includes a reservation data management section 2011 and a timemanagement section 2012 as in the above-described case.

The integrated device 2000 can operate as an input device when recordingby timer a broadcast program in the DVD 2020. Also, in the case where aprogram received by the cable broadcast receiver 2040 is recorded bytimer in the integrated device 2000, the integrated device 2000 canoperate as a related device. A configuration example of the reservationdata managed by the reservation data management section 2011 in thelatter case is shown in FIG. 21.

The reservation data 2100 includes a reservation ID 2102, a reservedtime (starting/ending time) 2102, an input device ID 2103, a relateddevice ID 2104 and various setting information 2105.

The reservation ID 2101 is the sole identifier of the reservation datamanaged by the reservation data management section 2011. The reservedtime 2102 is the one when the recording is required (starting/endingtime).

The input device ID 2103 is the sole identifier on the bus 10 for adevice accepting and executing a reservation. When recording a broadcastprogram by timer in the DVD 2020, an integration ID is set as the inputdevice is the integrated device 2000. In the case where the programreceived by the cable broadcast receiver 2040 is recorded by timer inthe integrated device 2000, the ID of the cable broadcast receiver 2040is set as the input device is the cable broadcast receiver 2040.

The related device ID 2104 is the sole identifier on the bus 10 for adevice operatively interlocked for reservation. In the case where abroadcast program is recorded by timer in the DVD 2020, ID of the DVD isset as the related device is the DVD 2020. When recording by timer aprogram received by the cable broadcast receiver 2040 in the integrateddevice 2000, on the other hand, the ID of the integrated device 2000 isset as the related device is the integrated device 2000.

The various setting information 2105 include the information requiredfor setting and executing a timer reservation, such as the record orreproduction execution function, the channel No., the recording speedmode such as SP, LP or EP, and the analog or digital record mode.

As described above, the reservation data 2100 including the input deviceID 2103 for accepting and executing the reservation and the relateddevice ID 2104 for the device operatively interlocked are managed by thereservation data management section 2011. In this way, where thereservation is executed and which device is operatively interlocked canbe grasped, thereby facilitating the timer reservation managementbetween devices.

Now, explanation will be made about a method of reserving and executinga fee-charging program such as a satellite broadcast program morepositively by timer with reference to FIGS. 22 to 42.

FIG. 22 shows an example of an AV device system using this method. Thissystem is configured of an integrated receiver/decoder 2210 forreceiving satellite broadcast programs, a DVD recording-reproducingdevice 2220 for reproducing or recording the DVD, a MDrecording-reproducing device 2230 for reproducing or recording the MD, amonitor 224 such as a TV for displaying the AV data, and a VTR 2250 forreproducing or recording the magnetic tape. The devices 2210 to 2250each have a timer reservation section and are the same as thecorresponding device of the aforementioned AV device system in that dataare transmitted and received by way of the communication interfacesection, the control section and the timer reservation section.

This embodiment will be explained with reference to the case in whichthe operator designates the timer reservation screen by way of theintegrated receiver/decoder 2210 constituting an input device.

First, an example configuration of the record execution informationmanaged by the input device 2210 providing the integratedreceiver/decoder will be explained with reference to FIG. 23. The recordexecution information 2300 includes a reservation ID 2310, a reservedtime (starting/ending time) 2320, a related device ID 2330, recordingmedium information (type/ID) 2340, various information 2350 of recordingareas, and various reservation setting information 2360. These elementsconstitute a single reservation data.

The reservation ID 2310 is an identifier of the reservation data managedin the input device 221 providing the integrated receiver/decoder. Thisreservation ID 2310 is assigned a unique number based on the order ofreservation setting and date/time. The reserved time 2320 is the onerequired of recording (starting/ending time). The related device ID 2330is an identifier of a related device operatively interlocked forreservation execution, and in this system, is an ID of the recordingdevice such as the DVD recording-reproducing device 2220, the MDrecording-reproducing device 2230 or the VTR 2250. The recording mediuminformation 2340 is the information on the recording medium includingthe type of the recording medium (such as DVD, MD, VHS tape, S-VHS tape,etc.), the identifier of individual media (such as the unique number orthe serial number written in the medium). The recording area settinginformation 2350 is the information on the required recording areasecured for recording a reserved program, such as a record startingposition, an area size secured and the name of the file produced. Thevarious setting information 2360 include the information required forthe recording devices 2220, 2230, 2250 to set and execute the timerreservation such as reproduction or recording, the SP, LP or EPrecording speed mode and the analog or digital recording mode.

Now, an example configuration of the record execution informationmanaged by the recording devices 2220, 2230, 2250.

The record execution information 2400 include such data as thereservation ID 2410, the reservation time (starting/ending time) 2420,the input device ID 2430, the recording medium information (type/ID)2440, the recording area setting information 2450 and the varioussetting information 2460, all of which combine to constitute a singlereservation data.

The reservation ID 2410 is an identifier of the reservation data managedin the related devices 2220, 2230, 2250 providing the recording devices,and assigned a unique number such as the order of reservation settingand date/time. The reserved time 2420 is the one required of recording(starting/ending time). The input device ID 2430 is an identifier of theinput device operatively interlocked for accepting and executing thereservation, which in this system is the ID of the integratedreceiver/decoder 2210. The recording medium information 2440 is theinformation on the recording medium and is an identifier (such as aunique number or a serial number written in each medium) of the type ofthe recording medium (for example, the DVD, MD, VHS tape, S-VHS tape)and individual ones of such media. The recording area settinginformation 2450 is the information on the required recording areasecured for recording a reserved program such as the record startingpoint, the size of the area secured and the name of the file prepared,for example. The various reservation setting information 2460 is theinformation required for the recording devices 2220, 2230, 2250 to setand execute a timer reservation, such as the reproduction or recordingexecution function, the SP, LP or EP recording speed mode and the analogor digital recording mode.

Now, explanation will be made about the steps of processing thetimer-reserved recording in this system. First, the procedure performedby the integrated receiver/decoder 2210 designating a timer reservationwill be explained.

First, the operator inputs the timer-reserved record designation and thereservation contents into the integrated receiver/decoder 2210 by use ofan input designation device such as the remote controller or the inputtablet (step 2501). The integrated receiver/decoder 2210 extracts arecording device capable of recording the program from among the devicesconnected on the bus 10 (step 2502). These recording devices areinquired whether the designated reserved time is available for use, andextracts any one of them available for use (step 2503). Then, theserecording devices are inquired as to whether the currently-set recordingmedium (tape or disk) has a capacity required for recording thedesignated program, and extracts a recording device set with a recordingmedium having the recording capacity (step 2504). From among theserecording devices, a related device for recording the program at thetime of executing the reservation is determined (step 2505).

FIG. 26 shows a screen example displayed on the liquid crystal screen ofa monitor 2240 or a remote controller or the like as shown in FIG. 6.The information on the recording devices 2220, 2230, 2250 connected onthe same bus 10 are displayed on the screen 2600. An icon 2601 shows aDVD video recording-reproducing device 2220, an icon 2602 a VTR 2250 andan icon 2603 a MD recording-reproducing device 2230. Each icon indicateswhether the recording device involved can be selected. An icon for arecording device in which no recording medium is set, which fails tosupport the data format of the program to be recorded or which iscurrently locked, for example, cannot be selected and is displayed inhalf-brightness or in gray on the screen 2600. The icon 2603 of the MDaudio recording-reproducing device 2230 on the screen 2600 is anexample. Alternatively, such an icon 2603 can be arranged not to be ondisplay.

An icon is selected using a direction indicator 602 of the remotecontroller 600 on the screen 2600, and “DETAIL” is designated by thedetail indicator 603 of the remote controller 600 (guideline 2604 on thescreen). Then, the information on the recording device corresponding tothe selected icon is displayed.

FIG. 27 shows the screen 2700 for displaying the information on the DVDrecording-reproducing device 2220 displayed when the icon 2601 isselected. An insertion disk item 2701 indicating whether the DVD is setor not, a disk residual capacity item 2702 indicating the residualcapacity of the DVD, an operating condition item 2703 indicating thecurrent operating condition of the DVD recording-reproducing device 2220and a reservation setting item 2704 indicating whether other program isreserved by timer or not. When the detail indicator 603 of the remotecontroller 600 indicates t“DETAIL” (the guideline 2705 on the screen),the screen indicating a list of timer-reserved programs set in the DVDrecording-reproducing device 2220 is displayed.

FIG. 28 shows an example of this screen. The data 2810 on the reserveddate and time and the input device and the data 2820 on the recordingarea secured for each reservation are displayed on the screen 2800 withreference to the reservation data that have been set. The data 2820include the unique number used for identifying the DVD with therecording area secured therein, the address indicating the startingpoint and the size of the recording area. The unique number foridentifying the DVD includes the number written at the time ofmanufacture or formatting or the password written at the time ofreservation setting. Upon designation of DETERMINE on the determinationindicator 604 of the remote controller 600, the screen 2700 is restored.

When DETERMINE is designated on the determination indicator 604 of theremote controller 600 on the screen 2700 (the guideline 2706 on thescreen), the display on the screen 2600 is restored.

FIG. 29 shows the screen 2900 for displaying the information on the VTR2250 displayed upon selection of an icon 2602. The information includingan insertion tape item 2901 indicating whether the tape is set or not, atape residual capacity item 2902 indicating the residual capacity of thetape, an operating condition item 2903 indicating the current operatingcondition of the VTR 2250 and a reservation setting item 2904 indicatingwhether other timer reservations are set or not. When DETAIL isdesignated on the detail indicator 603 of the remote controller 600 (theguideline 2905 on the screen), a list of timer-reserved programs set inthe VTR 2250 is displayed.

FIG. 30 shows an example screen. The data 3010 on the reserved date andtime, the input device and the channel and the data 3020 on therecording area secured for each reservation are displayed on the screen3000 with reference to the reservation data already set. The data 3020include the unique number for identifying the tape with the recordingarea secured therein and the address representing the starting point.The unique number for identifying the tape is the number written at apredetermined time point and a predetermined position when the tapebegins to be used or the password written at the time of reservationsetting. Upon designation of the determination indicator 604, the screen2900 is restored.

When DETERMINE is designated on the determination indicator 604 of theremote controller 600 on the screen 2900 (the guideline 2906 on thescreen), the screen 2600 is restored.

Upon determination of the related device for recording the reservedprogram in step 2505, the area required for recording in the recordingmedium set in the related device is secured, and the information on theparticular area is acquired (step 2506). In one method for securing therecording area, the input device 2210 issues a request to the relateddevice to secure the required recording area, and the related device, inresponse to the request, secures a sequential area on the recordingmedium set therein, and notifies the input device 221 of success orfailure in so securing, the starting position of the recording area andthe area size. In another method, when the input device 2210 designatesthe reservation screen to the related device, the related device, inresponse thereto, secures a sequential area on the recording medium settherein and notifies the input device 2210 of the starting point and thesize of the area.

After that, the input device 2210 prepares and manages the reservationdata 2300 based on the information on the contents of the reservationinput in step 2502 and the recording area acquired in step 2506 (step2507). At the same time, the input device 2210 transmits the informationrequired for preparing the reservation data 2400 to the related deviceand issues a request for setting the reservation data 2400 (step 2508).The related device that has received the setting request prepares andmanages the reservation data 2400.

In step 2508, the input device 2210 can alternatively prepare andtransmit the reservation data 2400 to the related device, which can setand manage the data as it is. Also, once the designated reserved timeand the recording medium having the capacity capable of recording areascertained, the timer reservation can be positively accomplished. Thus,the order of steps 2503 and 2504 can of course be reversed.

Although only the recording devices in which the designated reservedtime and a recording medium having the recordable capacity can beselected on the screen 2600 in step 2504, all the recording devices canbe displayed and any one of them selected on the bus 10. In such a case,if a recording device is selected which has no recording medium settherein or the recording medium set is short of capacity, the warningscreens as shown in FIGS. 31 and 32 are displayed.

In the case where no recording medium is set, the warning screen 3100 isdisplayed as shown in FIG. 31. The selection item 3101 prompting theoperator to set the recording medium and the selection item 3102 forselecting other recording device are displayed on the screen 3100.

Assume that the operator, after setting a recording medium, designatesthe determination indicator 604 by selecting the selection item 3101.The capacity of the particular recording medium is checked and theprocess in and after step 2506 is performed. When the operator selectsthe selection item 3102 and designates the determination indicator 604,the screen 2600 is restored thereby making other recording devicesselectable. The capacity of the recording medium is displayed in termsof the residual available time of the VTR tape previously recorded. Asfor the unused VTR tape, on the other hand, the residual available timemay be set by the user as required.

In the case where the recording medium set is short of capacity, thewarning screen 200 of FIG. 32 is displayed. The screen 3200 hasdisplayed thereon a selection item 3201 for prompting the operator toset a new tape or disk, a selection item 3202 prompting the operator toselect other recording device, and a selection item 3203 prompting theoperator to record in other recording device after completely recordingto the end of the tape or the disk.

When the operator, after setting a new recording medium, designates thedetermination indicator 604 by selecting the selection item 3201, thecapacity of the particular recording medium is checked and the stepsincluding and subsequent to step 2506 are executed. When the operatorselects the selection item 3202 and designates the determinationindicator 604, the screen 2600 is restored, thereby making otherrecording devices selectable.

When the operator selects the selection item 3203 and designates thedetermination indicator 604, the currently-set recording area of therecording medium is secured while at the same time restoring the screen2600 thereby permitting selection of other recording devices. Theoperator thus selects another recording device and secures the recordingarea similarly in the recording medium set in the particular recordingdevice. In this case, the data on two or more related devices areincluded in the related device IDs 2320, 2420, the recording mediuminformation 2340, 2400, the recording area setting information 2350,2450 and the various setting information 2360, 2460 in the reservationdata 2300, 2400.

Now, the steps of processing the timer-reserved recording by the relateddevice will be explained with reference to FIG. 43.

Upon receipt of an inquiry from the input device as to whether thedesignated reserved time is available for use in step 2503 of FIG. 25,the related device reads the reservation data 2400 already set (step4301), and referring to the reserved time 2420 in the reservation data2400, checks whether or not the designated reserved time is availablefor use, i.e. not occupied (step 4302). If the designated reserved timeis occupied, the input device is notified that the designated reservedtime cannot is not available for use. Otherwise, the input device isnotified of the availability of the designated time.

In step 2504, assume that the related device receives an inquiry fromthe input device as to whether or not the capacity required forrecording the designated program is available in the currently-setrecording medium. The related device searches for a vacant area in thecurrently-set recording medium by reference to the recording mediuminformation 2440 and the recording area setting information 2450 in thereservation data 2400 (step 4303). The presence or absence of a vacantarea is determined (step 4304). If there is any vacant area, the inputdevice is notified that the required recording area is available.Otherwise, the input device is notified that there is no sufficientrecording area.

Upon receipt of a request from the input device to secure the requiredrecording area in step 2506, the related device secures a sequentialarea in the currently-set recording medium, and notifies the inputdevice whether the required recording area has been secured or not andsuch other information as the starting point of the recording area andthe size of the recording area (step 4305). After that, upon receipt ofa request from the input device to set the reservation data, the relateddevice prepares and manages the reservation data 2400. Alternatively,the related device that has received the reservation data 2400 preparedby the input device can set and manage as it is (step 4306).

Now, a method for securing the recording area of a recording medium instep 4305 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 33 and 34.

FIG. 33 shows a recording area 3310 secured on the DVD 3300. A recordingarea 3310 of a capacity required for recording is secured sequentially(i.e. in such a manner as to assure successive addresses) from a recordstarting address 3320. In the DVD 3300, data are written in spiral formprogressively outward from the inner side thereof, and therefore hasmore vacant areas in outward areas. At the time of reservation,therefore, outer portions are secured. Also, the required capacity iscalculated from the standard transfer speed (4 Mbps for PerfecTV) of thereserved program data, the data such as the header added at the time ofrecording and the maximum recording speed of the DVDrecording-reproducing device 2210. This is also the case with MD.

FIG. 34 shows a recording area 3430 secured on the magnetic tape 3400.The capacity required for recording is secured continuously from therecord starting point 3420 to the record ending point 3440. In the casewhere nothing is recorded in the magnetic tape, the record startingpoint 3420 and the record ending point 3440 are determined in thefollowing manner. First, a control track 3410 of the record startingpoint 3420 is written at the time of reservation setting, and VISS (VHSindex serial system) is set or a linear time counter value is recordedat the particular point. After reservation setting, the control track3410 for the required capacity is written, and VISS is set or the linearcounter value is recorded at the record ending point 3440. A method isalso available in which the magnetic tape is formatted and the controltrack 3410 is written in advance. Still another method is to manage therecord starting point 3420 and the record ending point 3440 using theabsolute track number and the time code. The required capacity iscalculated from the write speed of the magnetic tape or the tape runningtime calculated from the reel rotational speed.

The above-mentioned operation of the input device and the related devicecan assure more positive timer recording reservation and the executionof the reservation. It may happen, however, that the recording mediumfails to be set or a different recording medium is set in the relateddevice due to the operator's fault during the period from thereservation setting to the reservation execution. The processing to beexecuted in such a case will be explained below.

First, upon receipt of the time set for the timer-reserved recordingfrom the time management section in the input device or the relateddevice for which the timer servation is set, the related device checkswhether a predetermined recording medium is set or not by reference tothe recording medium information 2440 in the reservation data 2400corresponding to the same reservation. In the case where the recordingmedium is not set, a warning screen 4400 as shown in FIG. 44 isdisplayed. The selection item 4401 prompting the operator to set therecording medium, the selection item 4402 for selecting other recordingdevices and the selection time 4403 for cancelling the reservationexecution are displayed on the screen 4400.

The operator, after setting a predetermined recording medium, designatesDETERMINE on the determination indicator 604 of the remote controller600 by selecting the selection item 4401. Then, the reservationexecution is continued. When the operator selects the selection item4402 and designates DETERMINE on the determination indicator 604 of theremote controller 600, on the other hand, the screen 2600 is displayedthereby to make ready for selecting other recording devices. When theoperator selects the selection item 4403 and designates DETERMINE on thedetermination indicator 604 of the remote controller 600, thereservation execution is cancelled. This processing will be describedlater with reference to FIG. 41.

In the case where a predetermined recording medium is not set, on theother hand, the warning screen 4500 as shown in FIG. 45 is displayed.The selection item 4501 for recording in the currently-set recordingmedium, the selection item 4502 for selecting other recording devicesand the selection item 4503 for cancelling the reservation execution aredisplayed to the operator on the screen 4500.

Assume that the operator, after setting a predetermined recordingmedium, selects the selection item 4501 and designates DETERMINE on thedetermination indicator 604 of the remote controller 600. The processfor reservation execution is continued. When the operator, after settinga recording medium different from the predetermined recording medium,selects the selection item 4501 and designates DETERMINE on thedetermination indicator 604 of the remote controller 600, on the otherhand, the recording medium is checked for a required vacant area and inthe presence of a required vacant area, the reservation execution iscontinued. In the absence of the required vacant area, on the otherhand, the warning screen 3200 is displayed. In the case where theoperator selects the selection item 4502 and the designates DETERMINE onthe determination indicator 604 of the remote controller 600, the screen2600 is displayed making ready for selecting other recording devices.When the operator selects the selection item 4503 and designatesDETERMINE on the determination indicator 604 of the remote controller600, the reservation execution is cancelled.

Now, with reference to FIG. 35, explanation will be made about theprocessing performed by the related device in the case where a recordingrequest is issued from other devices to the related device after timerreservation setting. Specific examples in FIG. 22 include the case inwhich the timer reservation for a satellite broadcast program is setbetween the integrated receiver/decoder 2210 and the VTR 2250, and afterthat, a request is issued from the DVD 2220 to record the contents of amovie or music in the VTR 2250.

Upon receipt of a recording request from other devices connected to thebus 10, the related device reads the reservation data 2400 already settherein (step 3501). Referring to the recording medium information 2440and the recording area setting information 2450 in the reservation data2400, the related device searches for a vacant area in the currently-setrecording medium (step 3502). Thus the related device determines as towhether there is a vacant area or not (step 3503). If there is a vacantarea, the recording request is accepted and the recording is started(step 3504). In the absence of a vacant area, on the other hand, thedevice that has issued the recording request and the operator arenotified by displaying a warning screen or the like (step 3505).

FIG. 36 shows a warning screen example displayed in step 3505. Theoperator, after setting another recording medium, designates DETERMINEon the determination indicator 604 of the remote controller 600 on thescreen 3600. The recording request is then accepted and the recording isstarted.

In the foregoing case, the recording request from other devices has beenaccepted in the presence of a vacant area. An arrangement can be made,however, in which the recording request from other devices can never beaccepted in the case where a timer reservation is set. Also, the DVDrecording-reproducing device 2220 can be so configured that a readrequest from other devices is accepted but a record request is notaccepted or accepted if there is any vacant area.

Now, with reference to FIG. 37, explanation will be made about theprocessing performed in the case where the timer-reserved time arrivesduring the recording or reproduction of the DVD recording-reproducingdevice 2220 (or the VTR 2250).

First, the DVD recording-reproducing device 2220 (VTR 2250) is notifiedof the time set for the timer-reserved recording from the timemanagement section in the input device 2210 or the DVDrecording-reproducing device 2220 (VTR 2250) set for timer reservation(step 3701). The DVD recording-reproducing device 2220 (VTR 2250) thendisplays a warning screen or issues a sound by a buzzer or the like tothe operator for determining whether or not the timer reservation set isto be executed (step 3702). FIG. 38 shows an example warning screendisplayed in step 3702. The operator decides whether or not to continuethe current recording operation or to execute the timer reservation onthe screen 3800 (step 3703).

When the operator designates the selection item 3801 on the screen 3800,the current recording is suspended and the processing required forexecuting the timer reservation is started (step 3704). In order tocontinue the current recording operation, as shown in FIG. 39, a screenfor causing the operator to select other recording devices can bedisplayed. Upon designation of the selection item 3901 on the screen3900, the screen 2600 is displayed and the device for continuing therecording operation is selected. When the selection item 3902 isdesignated, on the other hand, the current recording is suspended orother recording devices can be automatically selected.

When the operator selects the selection item 3802 on the screen 3800,the timer reservation already set is cancelled (step 3705). FIG. 40shows an example warning screen displayed in step 3705. When theoperator designates the selection item 4001 on the screen 4000, thetimer reservation is cancelled. Upon designation of the selection item4002, on the other hand, the screen 3800 is restored.

In order to execute the timer reservation in step 3705, it is alsopossible to display the screen allowing the operator to select otherrecording devices as shown in FIG. 46. When the selection item 4601 isdesignated on the screen 4600, the screen 2600 is displayed, and adevice for executing the timer reservation is selected. Upon designationof the selection item 4602, on the other hand, the timer reservation iscancelled.

Lastly, explanation will be made about the steps of cancelling the timerreservation of step 3705 with reference to FIG. 41.

First, the reservation data is read from the reservation data managementsection (step 4101) and the contents thereof are checked. Referring tothe input device ID 2430 or the related device ID 2330, it is determinedwhether the reservation data is for the devices other than the localdevice (step 4102). If the reservation data is for other devices also, areservation cancellation (i.e. the reservation data deletion) request isissued to all such devices (step 4103). The reservation data managed bythe local device is deleted (step 4104). Unless the reservation data isfor other devices, step 4104 is executed.

As described above, the required recording area is secured on therecording medium set in the recording device beforehand at the time ofsetting a timer reservation. In this way, the reservation data are soconfigured as to include the information on both the recording mediumand the recording area. Thus, before starting to execute thereservation, the situation, if any, can be grasped in which a differentrecording medium is set or the capacity is insufficient. At the time ofexecuting the reservation, therefore, the recording operation can beperformed to the end on the designated recording medium accurately.Also, in the case where a recording request is issued from other devicesafter setting a reservation, the particular reservation is not affectedand such requests can be handled flexibly.

According to this embodiment, the size of the recording area secured inthe recording device is calculated from the standard transfer rate orthe maximum recording rate of the program data. An alternative method isfor the broadcasting station to contain the full capacity of the programdata or the data on the maximum transfer rate in the various data andtransmit them, so that the required size is secured based on these datain the recording device.

FIG. 42 shows a screen example for displaying the data capacity of theprogram received from the broadcasting station. When an arbitraryprogram is designated on the broadcast program guide screen 4200, thescreen 4210 is displayed for explaining the program in detail. The datacapacity of the program as well as the contents and the purchase priceof the program are displayed on the screen 4210. As a result, arecording area can be secured efficiently and accurately in therecording device.

A timer reservation requires time adjustment between various devices.According to a method of time adjustment for the above-mentioned timerreservation system, a device for controlling the bandwidth, channel andpower for isochronous transfer (a device having a bus manager or anisochronous resource manager and constituting a route, for example, forthe system using IEEE1394) or a device such as a tuner capable ofacquiring time information from an external broadcasting station fortime adjustment makes up an input device for the time managementsections 106, 116, which performs regular time adjustment for variousdevices interconnected on the bus. Such a method will be explained withreference to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 46 and subsequent drawings.

In another alternative method, when a timer reservation is designated, adevice operatively interlocked with the device for executing a timerreservation requests the input device of the timer to adjust the time oracquires the time and adjusts it by itself.

Another embodiment of the invention will be explained below withreference to the drawings.

FIGS. 47A, 47B, 47C are diagrams showing a device system and a devicefor managing the timer according to a first embodiment of the invention.FIG. 47A shows the device system, FIG. 47B shows an integratedreceiver/decoder providing a device of the system, and FIG. 47C shows arecording-reproducing device providing another device of the system.Numeral 4710 designates a bus, numeral 4700 the integratedreceiver/decoder, numeral 4810 the recording-reproducing device, numeral4820 a monitor, numeral 4701 a user interface section, numeral 4702 acommunication interface section, numeral 4703 a satellite broadcasttuner, numeral 4704 a reservation data management section, numeral 4705a time management section, numeral 4706 a reproducing section, numeral4707 a control section, numeral 4711 a user interface section, 4712 acommunication interface section, numeral 4713 a VHF/UHF tuner, numeral4714 a reservation data management section, numeral 4715 a timemanagement section, numeral 4716 a recording section and numeral 4717 areproducing section.

In the description that follows, this embodiment is assumed to be an AVsystem and an example of timer reservation for this system will beexplained.

In FIG. 47A, an AV system includes an integrated receiver/decoder 4700for receiving broadcast programs using a communication satellite, arecording-reproducing device 4810 such as a VTR for recording AV data ona magnetic tape or a DVD, HD or MO for recording AV data in a magneticdisk or an optical disk, a monitor 4820 such as a TV receiver or adisplay unit of a personal computer, and a bus 4710 such as the IEEE1394serial bus or USB for connecting the components.

Now, a method of a timer reservation and executing the timer reservationwill be explained in the integrated receiver/decoder 4700 and therecording-reproducing device 4810 upon designation of reservation for“RECORDING BY TIMER SATELLITE BROADCAST PROGRAM IN RECORDING-REPRODUCINGDEVICE 4810” from the user to the integrated receiver/decoder 4700.First, the configuration of the integrated receiver/decoder 4700 and therecording-reproducing device 4810 will be explained.

The integrated receiver/decoder 4700, as shown in FIG. 47B, includes auser interface section 4701 for exchanging signals for setting a timerreservation or display with the user by way of an input designationdevice such as a remote controller or a tablet, a communicationinterface section 4702 for communicating AV data and control signalswith other devices (the recording-reproducing device 4810 and themonitor 4820 in this case) through a bus 4710, a satellite broadcasttuner 4703 for receiving a satellite broadcast program, a reservationdata management section 4704 for managing the information on timerreservation, a time management section 4705 for managing the clock andnotifying the arrival of a reserved time, a reproducing section 4706 forreproducing the received broadcast program on the monitor 4820, and acontrol section 4707 for controlling the operation of various internalparts of the integrated receiver/decoder 4700.

The recording-reproducing device 4810, on the other hand, includes, asshown in FIG. 47C, a user interface section 4811 for exchanging signalsfor recording and reproduction, timer reservation or display with theuser by way of an input designation device such as a remote controlleror a tablet, a communication interface section 4812 for communicatingdata and control signals with other devices (the integratedreceiver/decoder 4700 and the monitor 4820 in this case) through the bus4710, a VHF/UHF tuner 4813 for receiving a VHF/UHF broadcast program, areservation data management section 4814 for managing the information onthe timer reservation of a VHF/UHF broadcast program, a time managementsection 4815 for managing the clock and notifying the arrival of thereserved time, a recording section 4816 for recording the AV data of abroadcast program, etc. in a recording medium such as a magnetic tape oran optical disk, a reproducing section 4817 for reproducing the AV datarecorded in the recording medium, and a recording-reproducing devicecontrol section 4818 for controlling the operation of therecording-reproducing device 4810.

Now, with reference to FIGS. 48A, 48B and 49A, 49B, explanation will bemade about the information on the clock (hereinafter referred to as theclock information) managed by the time management section 4705 of theintegrated receiver/decoder 4700 and the time management section 4815 ofthe recording-reproducing device 4810.

FIGS. 48A, 48B are diagrams showing a specific example of the clockinformation 4800 managed by the time management section 4705 of theintegrated receiver/decoder 4700. FIG. 48A shows a configuration of theclock information and FIG. 48A shows specific contents of the clockinformation.

The time management section 4705 of the integrated receiver/decoder 4700designated for timer reservation by the user, as shown in FIG. 48A,manages the clock information 4800 including the current time 4801, thestatus 4802, the master time acquisition function 4803 and the masterinformation 4804. Specific contents of these data are shown in FIG. 48B.

The current time 4801 is the present date and time indicated by theclock in the integrated receiver/decoder 4700. (In the present case, asshown in FIG. 48B, it is May 27, 1997, 16:20) The status 4802 is theoperating condition of the clock which may be ticking or stationary(FIG. 48B shows the clock ticking). The master time acquisition function4803 indicates whether or not the integrated receiver/decoder 4700 hasthe function of acquiring accurate time from a source external to thedevice system (In FIG. 48B, the receiver 4700 is assumed to have such afunction). The master information 4804 indicates, when the integratedreceiver/decoder 4700 has the master time acquisition function, fromwhat and in what timing the accurate time is acquired (In FIG. 48B, theaccurate time is acquired from a received satellite broadcast programonce every hour, at the time of reservation or upon receiving a requestfor acquiring the current time).

FIGS. 49A, 49B are diagrams showing a specific example of the clockinformation 4900 managed by the time management section 4815 of therecording-reproducing device 4810. FIG. 48A shows a configuration of theclock information, and FIG. 48B specific contents of the clockinformation.

The time management section 4815 of the recording-reproducing device4810 operatively interlocked with the integrated receiver/decoder 4700at the time of executing a reservation manages the clock information4900 including the current time 4901, the status 4902 and the mastertime acquisition function 4903 as shown in FIG. 49A.

The current time 4901 indicates the present time on the clock in therecording-reproducing device 4810 (May 27, 1997, 16:15, in FIG. 48B).The status 4902 indicates the operating condition of the clock whetherit is ticking or stationary (ticking in the case of FIG. 49B). Themaster time acquisition function 4903 indicates whether or not theintegrated receiver/decoder 4700 has the function of acquiring accuratetime from a source external to the device system (has no such functionin FIG. 49B).

In the case where the integrated receiver/decoder 4700 has the mastertime acquisition function 4903, the time management section 4705acquires accurate time from an external source based on the contents ofthe master information 4804 and adjusts the clock. Therefore, theintegrated receiver/decoder 4700 can always keep accurate time.

Now, the steps of processing the timer reservation of the AV systemaccording to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 47A, 47B, 47C will beexplained with reference to FIG. 50.

First, the user inputs a timer reservation designation and thereservation contents into the integrated receiver/decoder 4700 throughthe user interface section 4701 using an input designation device suchas a remote controller or a tablet (step 5001). In the case where thereservation is executed in cooperation with other device than theintegrated receiver/decoder 4700, a related device constituting suchother device (the recording-reproducing device 4810 in this case) isdetermined (step 5002).

FIGS. 51A, 51B, 51C, 51D are diagrams showing a specific example of theimage displayed on the liquid crystal screen of a monitor 4820 or aremote controller in steps 5001 and 5002. FIG. 51E is a model diagramshowing a specific example of the operating section of the remotecontroller 5100.

In these diagrams, first, the user pushes a program guide button 5101 ofthe remote controller 5100. A program guide screen 5110 is displayed. Aprogram to be reserved is selected on the screen 5110 using a directionbutton 5102 of the remote controller 5100. A registration button 5106 isdepressed, and the screen 5120 for selecting the execution function isdisplayed. On the screen 5120, the reservation execution function (VIEWor RECORD) is selected using the direction button 5102 of the remotecontroller 5100, and the determine button 5104 is depressed. In the casewhere RECORD is selected, the screen 5130 for selecting a recordingdevice, i.e. a related device is displayed. Information on the deviceshaving the recording function (the device type such as VTR or DVD, andthe name of the manufacturer) among the devices connected to the bus4710 is displayed on the screen 5130. In the present embodiment shown inFIG. 47A, only one recording-reproducing device is connected to the bus4710, and therefore only the information on the recording-reproducingdevice 4810 is displayed. When the determine button 5104 is depressed asdescribed above, the screen 5140 for selecting the tape speed and therecording mode in the recording-reproducing device 4810 is displayed. Onthis screen 5140, the tape speed and the recording mode are selected,and then the determine button 5104 is depressed. The information on therecord reservation is thus completely set.

Returning to FIG. 50, the time management section 4705 in the integratedreceiver/decoder 4700 inquires of the time management section 4815 ofthe recording-reproducing device 4810 constituting a related deviceabout the operating condition of the clock and the current time throughthe control section 4707 (step 5003). Based on the operating conditionof the clock thus acquired in response, the clock of therecording-reproducing device 4810 is checked to see whether it isoperating normally (step 5004). Also, the acquired current time in therecording-reproducing device 4810 is compared with the current time inthe integrated receiver/decoder 4700, and the time error is checked todetermine whether it is within a tolerable range (step 5005). In thecase where the clock of the recording-reproducing device 4810 issufficiently accurate to permit execution of the timer reservation, theinput reservation data are set in the reservation data managementsection 4804 of the integrated receiver/decoder 4800 and the reservationdata management section 4814 of the recording-reproducing device 4810(step 5006).

In the case where the clock of the recording-reproducing device 4810 isdetermined to have some problem in steps 5004 and 5005, the fact isdisplayed on the liquid crystal screen of the monitor 4820 or the remotecontroller and thus notified to the user (step 5007). FIG. 52 is adiagram showing a specific example of the screen 5200 displayed by theintegrated receiver/decoder 4700. Depress the YES button 5201 on thisscreen 5200, and the timer reservation setting is complete. When the NObutton 5202 is depressed, on the other hand, the screen 5200 isdisplayed again or the timer reservation is set as it is.

As shown in FIGS. 48A, 48B, 49A, 49B, the integrated receiver/decoder4700 has the master time acquisition function 4803 for keeping accuratetime, but the recording-reproducing device 4810 has no such function. Inthe case where the condition of the clock in the recording-reproducingdevice 4810 is determined to have some problem in steps 5004, 5005,therefore, not only the fact is notified in step 5007 of FIG. 50 but theintegrated receiver/decoder 4700 in normal operation can control thecurrent time and the operating condition of the clock of therecording-reproducing device 4810.

Specifically, in step 5007 of FIG. 50, the user is notified that theclock of the recording-reproducing device 4810 has some problem while atthe same time making an inquiry whether the integrated receiver/decoder4700 can correct the clock of the recording-reproducing device 4810.FIG. 53 shows a specific example of the screen 5300 displayed on theintegrated receiver/decoder 4700 in such a case.

In FIG. 53, when the YES button 5301 is depressed, the time managementsection 4705 of the integrated receiver/decoder 4700 issues a command tothe time management section 4815 of the recording-reproducing device4810 to set the current time or to activate the clock. In response, thetime management section 4815 of the recording-reproducing device 4810corrects the current time or activates the clock, as the case may be,and notifies the result to the time management section 4705 of theintegrated receiver/decoder 4700. If the result is that the clock isnormal, the integrated receiver/decoder 4700 continues to set the timerreservation (step 5006). Otherwise, the result is notified to the user,who is requested to select the subsequent process.

FIG. 54 is a diagram showing a specific example of the screen 5400displayed on the integrated receiver/decoder 4700 in such a case.

In FIG. 54, whether the timer reservation is ended or continued isselected on the screen 5400. When [1] is selected, the screen 5300 (FIG.53) is displayed again, or the timer reservation is set or ended.

The data indicating whether other devices have the right to control theclock of the time management section 4815 of the recording-reproducingdevice 4810 is added to the time information 4900 managed by the timemanagement section 4815.

FIG. 55A is a diagram showing a specific example of a configuration ofthe time information 5500 involved. FIG. 55B is a diagram showingspecific contents thereof.

In step 5004 of FIG. 50, the time management section 4705 of theintegrated receiver/decoder 4700 refers to the access right 5510 of thetime information 5500 shown in FIGS. 55A, 55B in the time managementsection 4815 of the recording-reproducing device 4810. In the case whereother devices have the right to access for adjusting the clock, the timemanagement section 4705 of the integrated receiver/decoder 4700 canautomatically adjust the clock of the time management section 4815 ofthe recording-reproducing device 4810. In the absence of such accessright, on the other hand, the screen 5200 (FIG. 52) is displayed tonotify the user.

In the process, a clock-adjusting request issued from a device such asthe integrated receiver/decoder 4700 having the master time acquisitionfunction (FIG. 48A) can be accepted. In such a case, DEVICE HAVINGMASTER TIME ACQUISITION FUNCTION is set in the access right 5510.

Also, assume that the time management section 4815 of therecording-reproducing device 4810 has data on the devices acquiring areference time. When the time management section 4815 adjusts the time,the time can be acquired from such devices. FIG. 56A is a diagramshowing a specific example of a configuration of the time information5600 managed by the time management section 4815 in such a case, andFIG. 56B is a diagram showing specific contents thereof.

In step 5004 of FIG. 50, the time management section 4705 of theintegrated receiver/decoder 4700 refers to the time acquisition devicedata 5610 in the time information 5600 shown in FIG. 56A in the timemanagement section 4815 of the recording-reproducing device 4810. Thetime management section 4705 of the integrated receiver/decoder 4700, ifit is the time acquirer, automatically adjusts the clock of the timemanagement section 4815 of the recording-reproducing device 4810. If thetime acquirer is other device, on the other hand, the time managementsection 4705 of the integrated receiver/decoder 4700 requests the timemanagement section 4815 of the recording-reproducing device 4810 toadjust time.

The time management section 4815 acquires the time from the deviceindicated in the time acquisition device data 5610 and adjusts it. As analternative method, the time management section 4815 of the integratedreceiver/decoder 4700 requests the device indicated in the timeacquisition device data 5610 to adjust the time of therecording-reproducing device 4810. In the case where no device isindicated in the time acquisition device data 5610 or such a device, ifany, is inoperative due to a power failure or for some other reason, thescreen 5200 (FIG. 52) is displayed and the user is notified. A pluralityof time acquisition device data 5610 may exist.

Further, the time information 5500 shown in FIG. 55A can be combinedwith the time information 5600 shown in FIG. 56A. In this case, a devicefor acquiring the time at default is set in the time acquisition devicedata 5610. In the case where the device indicated in the timeacquisition device data 5610 is absent or a clock adjust request isissued from other device and if the requesting device satisfies theconditions shown in the access right 5510 (for example, a device havingthe master time acquisition function), then the time is adjusted basedon the time from such a device.

According to this embodiment, a timer reservation is designated to theintegrated receiver/decoder 4700 having the master time acquisitionfunction 4803 (FIG. 48A). As an alternative, a timer reservationdesignation can be issued to the recording-reproducing device 4810having no master time acquisition function 4903 (FIG. 49A). In such acase, as in the foregoing case, the time management section 4815 of therecording-reproducing device 4810 issues a request to the timemanagement section 4705 of the integrated receiver/decoder 4700 toacquire the time information 4800. The time information 4800 thusacquired is compared with the time information 4900, and if there is anyproblem, the time of the device with a normally-operating clock andhaving the master time acquisition function is given priority (in thiscase, the integrated receiver/decoder 4700). This series of processingsteps are similar to the one described above.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the integratedreceiver/decoder 4700 and the recording-reproducing device 4810 of adevice system are connected to each other by the control bus 4710, andinclude the time management sections 4705 and 4815, respectively. Upondesignation of a time reservation by the integrated receiver/decoder4700, as described above, the time management section 4705 thereofissues a request to the time management section 4815 of therecording-reproducing device 4810 operatively interlocked therewith toacquire the data on the operating condition of the clock and the currenttime, and checks whether the clocks of the two time management sectionshave no problem in executing the particular timer reservation. If thereis any problem, the user is notified on the monitor screen, etc. As aresult, the setting of a timer reservation which may be impossible toexecute normally can be prevented.

Also, the time information data 4800, 4900 shown in FIGS. 48A, 48B, 49A,49B are provided with the master time acquisition functions 4803, 4903so that a device may be checked as to whether it has the function ofacquiring accurate time from an external source and adjusting it. Inthis way, a device capable of keeping accurate time (i.e. a devicehaving the master time acquisition function) is given the ability tocontrol the clock of the devices unable to keep accurate time. As aresult, the clock can be automatically adjusted, thereby reducing theburden on the user and the chance of failure to execute the timerreservation.

FIG. 57 is a block diagram showing a device and a device systemsubjected to timer management according to a second embodiment of theinvention. Numeral 5701 designates a personal computer (PC), numeral5702 a DVD recording-reproducing device, numeral 5703 a MDrecording-reproducing device, numeral 5704 an integratedreceiver/decoder, numeral 5705 a VTR, numeral 5706 a cable broadcastreceiver, numeral 5707 a monitor and numeral 5708 a VTR.

According to the second embodiment, an AV system is provided, which, inaddition to the configuration of the first embodiment, comprises aplurality of AV devices connected on a bus and which is capable ofmanaging the time flexibly against the change in system configuration aswell as at the time of timer reservation.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 57 comprises the PC 5701, the DVDrecording-reproducing device 5702 for reproducing or recording a DVD, aMD recording-reproducing device 5703 for reproducing or recording a MD,an integrated receiver/decoder 5704 for receiving a satellite broadcastprogram, a VTR 5705 for reproducing or recording the magnetic tape, acable broadcast receiver 5705 for receiving a cable broadcast programand a monitor 5707 such as a TV for displaying AV data.

The devices 5701 to 5707 each include the time management sectiondescribed in the first embodiment.

Also, each device having the master time acquisition function describedin the fist embodiment (the integrated receiver/decoder 5704, the cablebroadcast receiver 5706 and the monitor 5707 in the second embodiment)has the time information 4800 shown in FIG. 48A. The devices lacking themaster time acquisition function (the PC 5701, the DVD 5702, the MD 5703and the VTR 5705 in FIG. 57) have the time information 5600 shown inFIG. 56A.

This second embodiment can further comprise the VTR 5708 providing an AVdevice having not master time acquisition function. The operation of theVTR 5708 will be explained with reference to FIG. 58.

In FIG. 58, first, the buses are reset as required by the change in theAV system configuration due to the addition of the VTR 5708. Once thebuses are reset entirely and the configuration of all the devicesinterconnected is determined with each device assigned an address (ID)(step 5801), the time management section 4815 of the VTR 5708 (FIG. 47C)inquires of all the devices 5701 to 5707 existing in the AV system aboutwhether they have the function of acquiring the master time and theclock is current normally ticking or not (step 5802). Then, the timemanagement section 4705 (FIG. 47B) of the devices having the master timeacquisition function (the integrated receiver/decoder 5704, the cablebroadcast receiver 5706 and the monitor 5707 in this AV system) notifiesthe VTR 5708 that the time management section 4705 has such a function.In the presence of a plurality of devices having the master timeacquisition function with a clock normally ticking, the time managementsection 4815 of the VTR 5708 selects one of such devices and sets theaddress (ID) of the selected device in the time acquisition device data5610 in the time information 5600 (FIG. 56A) (step 5804). In the absenceof such a device, the user is notified and prompted to adjust the clock(step 5805).

The device that could normally set the time acquisition device data 5610always acquires the current time from the device indicated in the data5610 and adjusts the clock.

In the case where there are a plurality of devices in step 5804, thefirst device that has received the notification or the device having thelargest address (ID) number can be determined as a time acquisitiondevice.

Further, in step 5802, an arrangement can be made in which a request foracquiring the time information is issued to each device on the AVsystem, and after acquisition of such data, the time management section5815 of the VTR 5708 can extract the device having the master timeacquisition function from such devices.

In this second embodiment, also assume that as shown in FIG. 59, the VTR5705 is extracted from the AV system or power fails. Then, the deviceshaving no master time acquisition function on the AV system (the PC5701, the DVD 5702 and the MD 5703 in FIG. 59) perform the processingshown in FIG. 60.

In FIG. 60, first, all the buses are completely reset and the connectionof all the devices is determined with each device assigned an address(ID) (step 6001). The time management section 4815 of therecording-reproducing device 4810 (FIG. 47C) reads the contents of thetime acquisition device data 5610 in the time information 5600 thereof(FIG. 56A) (step 6002). The device shown in the contents of the timeacquisition device data 5610 is inquired about the presence thereof(step 6003). In the absence of a reply from such a device, the timeacquisition device is reset in steps 5802 to 5805 of FIG. 58 (step6004). Upon receipt of a reply from such a device, on the other hand,the current time continues to be acquired from such a device and theclock is adjusted accordingly.

In this way, even in the case where the AV system configuration ischanged by addition or removal of a device, the clock can beautomatically adjusted to accurate time without imposing any burden onthe user.

This AV system has a plurality of devices having the master timeacquisition function. At least an arbitrary one of the devices having nomaster time acquisition function is selected and determined as a timeacquisition device. As an alternative, however, only one timeacquisition device is determined in the AV system and the clocks of allthe devices of the system are adjusted based on the time of the selecteddevice. Such a system will be explained in detail below.

A specific example configuration of the time information managed by thetime management sections 4705, 4815 of the devices 5701 to 5707 in theAV system of FIG. 57 is shown in FIGS. 61A, 61B and 62A, 62B.

First, explanation will be made about the time information 6100 managedby the time management section of a device having the master timeacquisition function shown in FIGS. 61A, 61B. FIG. 61A shows aconfiguration of the information, and FIG. 61B specific contentsthereof.

In FIG. 61A, the time information 6100 includes, as items managedthereby, the current time 6101, the status 6102, the master timeacquisition function 6103, the master information 6104 and the masterclock data 6105.

The current time 6101 indicates the present time on the clock in thedevice (May 29, 1997, 16:20, in FIG. 61B). The status 6102 indicates theoperating condition of the clock whether the clock is ticking orstationary. (ticking in FIG. 61B). The master time acquisition function6103 indicates whether the device has the function of acquiring accuratetime from a source external to the AV system (the device has such afunction in FIG. 61B). The master information 6104 indicates from whatand in what timing the accurate time is acquired (in FIG. 61B, theaccurate time is acquired once per hour from the received satellitebroadcast program, at the time of timer reservation or upon request foracquisition of the current time). The master clock data 6105 indicatesthe address (ID) of the device constituting a sole time source(hereinafter referred to as the master clock) in the AV system (theintegrated receiver/decoder in FIG. 61B).

Now, explanation will be made about the time information 6200 managed bythe time management section of a device having no master timeacquisition function shown in FIG. 62. FIG. 62A shows a configuration ofthe information, and FIG. 62B specific contents thereof.

In FIGS. 62A, 62B, the time information 6200 includes, as items managedthereby, the current time 6201, the status 6202, the master timeacquisition function 6203 and the master clock data 6204.

The current time indicates the present time on the clock in the device(May 29, 1997, 16:15, in FIG. 62B). The status 6202 indicates theoperating condition of the clock whether it is ticking or stationary.(ticking in FIG. 62B). The master time acquisition function 6103indicates whether or not the device has the function of acquiringaccurate time from a source external to the AV system (no such functionin FIG. 62B). The master clock data 6204 indicates the address (ID) ofthe device constituting a sole time source (a master clock) (the masterclock in FIG. 62B is the integrated receiver/decoder).

Now, the operation of the device having the master time acquisitionfunction for processing the time information 6100 at the time ofresetting the buses will be explained with reference to FIG. 63.

In FIG. 63, first assume that all the buses are completely reset and theconfiguration of connecting all the devices is determined with eachdevice assigned an address (ID) (step 6301). The time management sectionof the device reads the contents of the time information 6100 (step6302). Then, referring to the master clock data 6105 in the timeinformation 6100, the time management section of the device checkswhether or not it has been a master clock before the buses are reset(step 6303). If the answer is affirmative, the device notifies, within apredetermined time, the other devices in the same AV system that itcontinues to be a master clock (step 6304).

In the case where the time management section of the device has not beena master clock previously, the notification from a previous master clockis awaited (step 6305), and the time management section checks whetheror not a notification is received within a predetermined time (step6306). If a notification is received within that time, the devicecontinues to be a master clock as a reference for time adjustment. Ifthere is no such notification, on the other hand, a master clock isdetermined from among the devices having the master time acquisitionfunction (step 6307).

In step 6307, a master clock is determined as one of the devices havingthe master time acquisition function with the largest address (ID), orthe device information is displayed on the screen so that the userdetermines a master clock.

Now, the operation of processing the time information 6200 of a devicehaving no master time acquisition function at the time of resetting thebuses will be explained with reference to FIG. 64.

In FIG. 64, assume that all the buses are reset completely, and theconfiguration of connecting all the devices is determined with theaddress (ID) assigned to each device (step 6401). The time managementsection of this device reads the contents of the time information 6200(step 6402), waits for a notification from the device indicated by themaster clock data 6204 in the time information 6200 (step 6403), andchecks whether or not a notification is received within a predeterminedtime (step 6404). If a notification is received within the predeterminedtime, the device continues to be a master clock and is used as areference for time adjustment.

In the absence of a notification, on the other hand, the device waitsfor a notification from another device which has newly assumed a masterclock (step 6405), and checks whether a notification is received withinthe predetermined time (step 6408). If the device receives such anotification, the contents of the master clock data 6204 in the timeinformation 6200 are set in the device that has newly become a masterclock (step 6407). In the absence of such a notification, on the otherhand, the fact is displayed or otherwise notified to the user (step6408).

In the above-mentioned manner, a single master clock is determined inthe AV system, and the other devices in the AV system acquire the timeas required from the master clock and adjusts their clocks. Thus, allthe devices in the system can automatically maintain accurate time. Itis also possible for the master clock to request all the devices in theAV system to adjust the clocks thereof or the master clock itself toexecute the adjustment of the clocks of all the devices collectively atregular time intervals or as required.

In the device application according to the embodiments described above,each AV device is adapted to grasp all the information on itself fromthe information on the operation of all the devices, which informationare set in the other AV devices and existing on the bus. In this way,all the information on the related device under control can be acquiredfrom the information on the operation of the devices existing on the busby inquiring only about the manner in which the related device uses thebus. The overlapped device operation or other inconveniences can thus beavoided and the matching of the devices operating on the bus can bemaintained suitably.

Further, the required recording area on the recording medium set in theAV device is secured before-hand at the time of timer reservation.Therefore, an adverse situation, if any, in which a different recordingmedium is set or the capacity is not sufficient can be grasped beforeexecuting the reservation. It is thus possible to perform the recordingoperation to the end on a designated recording medium accurately at thetime of executing the reservation. Also, a recording request which maybe received from other AV devices after setting a reservation can beflexibly met without causing any problem in executing the reservation.

Furthermore, with the function such as timer reservation in which aplurality of devices cooperatively require the time information, theoperating condition of the clock and the current time are referred tobetween the devices connected by a bus of the system to check whetherthe timer reservation can be executed without any problem. As a result,the setting of a timer reservation which may not be normally executedcan be prevented.

Also, a device which can maintain accurate time (i.e. a device havingthe master time acquisition function) can adjust the clock of otherdevices which cannot maintain accurate time. Therefore, the clocks canbe automatically adjusted so that the burden on the user and the failureto execute the timer reservation can be reduced.

In addition, according to the present invention, even when the systemconfiguration is changed by addition or removal of devices, the clockscan be automatically adjusted accurately without imposing any burden onthe user. Also, all the devices in the system can maintain accurate timeby determining only one master clock in the system, acquiring the timefrom this master clock and adjusting the clocks of other devices asrequired.

1. A device system comprising a plurality of devices for generating andrecording and reproducing information and including a time managementsection for managing the time of the information signal and at least onedisplay section connected by a bus to said devices for displaying saidinformation signal, wherein each of said devices includes means forissuing a request to at least one other device through said bus toacquire the operating condition of the time management section and thecurrent time, and means for receiving the information indicating theoperating condition of said time management section.
 2. A device systemfor managing time and information according to claim 1, wherein each ofsaid devices includes means for storing the information indicating theoperating condition of said time management section.
 3. A device systemfor managing time and information according to claim 2, wherein each ofsaid devices includes means for changing the contents of the informationindicating the operating condition of said time management sectionstored in said storage means.
 4. A device system for managing time andinformation according to claim 1, wherein each of said devices includesmeans for displaying the information indicating the operating conditionof said time management section on said display section.
 5. A devicesystem for managing time and information according to claim 1, whereineach of said devices includes means for accessing the informationindicating the operating condition of said time management sectionreceived from at least one other device through said bus and determiningwhether the time management section of said other device is operatingnormally or whether the accuracy of the current time is within apredetermined tolerance.
 6. A device system for managing time andinformation according to claim 5, wherein the result of saiddetermination is displayed on said display section.
 7. A device systemcomprising a plurality of devices for generating and recording andreproducing information and including a time management section formanaging the time of the information signal and at least one displaysection connected by a bus to said devices for displaying saidinformation signal, wherein each of said devices includes means forissuing a request to at least one other device through said bus to setthe current time and the operating condition of the time managementsection including the operating condition of said time managementsection.
 8. A device system according to claim 7, wherein each of saiddevices includes means for storing the information indicating the statusof said time management section.
 9. A device system according to claim8, wherein each of said devices includes means for changing the contentsof the information indicating the status of the time management sectionstored.
 10. A device system according to claim 8, further comprisingmeans for receiving the result as to whether the information indicatingthe status of said time management section is set or not.
 11. A devicesystem according to claim 10, wherein in the case where the result as towhether the information indicating the status of said time managementsection is set or not is received, said result is displayed on saiddisplay section.
 12. A device system comprising a plurality of devicesfor generating and recording and reproducing information and including atime management section for managing the time of the information signaland at least one display section connected by a bus to said devices fordisplaying said information signal, wherein each of said devicesincludes means for issuing a request to at least one other devicethrough said bus to acquire the information indicating the status ofsaid time management section including the current time and theoperating condition of the time management section, means for receivingsaid information indicating the status of said time management sectionin response to said acquisition request, and means for issuing a requestto the other devices to set the information indicating the status of thetime management section.
 13. A device system according to claim 12,wherein each of said devices includes means for displaying on saiddisplay section the information indicating the status of said timemanagement section received through said bus.
 14. A device systemaccording to claim 13, wherein each of said devices includes means forstoring the information indicating the status of said time managementsection.
 15. A device system according to claim 12, wherein each of saiddevices includes means for accessing the information indicating thestatus of said time management section received from at least one otherdevice and determining whether the time management section of said otherdevice is operating normally or whether or not the accuracy of thecurrent time is within a predetermined tolerance.
 16. A device systemaccording to claim 15, wherein each of said devices includes means fordisplaying the result of said determination on said display section. 17.A device system according to claim 12, wherein each of said devicesincludes means for displaying on said display section the result, ifreceived, as to whether the information indicating the status of saidtime management section is set or not.
 18. A device system comprising aplurality of devices for generating and recording and reproducinginformation and including a time management section for managing thetime of the information signal and at least one display sectionconnected by a bus to said devices for displaying said informationsignal, wherein each of said devices includes means for transmitting theinformation indicating the status of said time management section inresponse to a request from at least one other device to acquire theinformation indicating the status of said time management sectionthrough said bus.
 19. A device system comprising a plurality of devicesfor generating and recording and reproducing information and including atime management section for managing the time of the information signaland at least one display section connected by a bus to said devices fordisplaying said information signal, wherein each of said devicesincludes means for setting the status of said time management section inresponse to a request from at least one other device to set the statusof said time management section through said bus.
 20. A device systemaccording to claim 19, wherein each of said devices includes means forstoring the information indicating the status of said time managementsection set in the above-mentioned manner.
 21. A device systemcomprising a plurality of devices for generating and recording andreproducing information and including a time management section formanaging the time of the information signal and at least one displaysection connected by a bus to said devices for displaying saidinformation signal, further comprising at least a device including meansfor requesting said at least one other device to acquire the informationindicating the status of the time management section including theoperating condition of the time management section and the current timeand means for receiving the information indicating the status of saidtime management section, and at least a device including means forresponding to a request from at least one other device to acquire theinformation on the status of the time management section through saidbus, wherein the status of the time management section can be graspedbetween said devices existing on the bus.